Relative Adverbs are so called because they are derived from the stems of relative pronouns. They not only modify verbs, adjectives or adverbs, but also join sentences. So they are sometimes called Conjunctive Adverbs. They are: How, when, where, whereas, while, why, ...

I cannot say how I found my way.

I’ll tell you when I am ready.

You will have to go where I tell you.

He was well educated, whereas his father could not read.

Ask him why he is so angry.

Interrogative Adverbs are those which are used in asking questions. They are so called because they are derived from the stems of interrogative pronouns: How, when, where, whither, why.

How can you say such a thing?

When will the monsoon start?

Where did you buy that tie?

Whither away? (= Where are you going?)

Why cry?

Other Interrogative Adverbs are whence, whereby, wherefore, wherewith, whether.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Early	Earlier	Earliest
Soon	Sooner	Soonest
Hard	Harder	Hardest

Parts of speech are also used as or made into adverbs.

(a) Nouns - Inside, outside, home-made, skin-deep, sea-borne.

(b) Adjectives - Pretty good. He works hard.

(c) Pronouns - None the worse. All the better.

(d) Prepositions - You go before, I will come after. I think he will pull through.

Note: To tell when a preposition is used as an adverb see whether it is followed by a noun. If not, it must be parsed as an adverb.

A cloth must be put underneath (adverb).

A cloth must be put underneath the books (preposition).

Most adverbs are formed by the addition of -ly (which means like) to an adjective or a participle, or a noun.

(a) To an Adjective : Bravely, quickly, annually. ... But, full becomes fully. ...

(b) To a Participle : Longingly, surprisingly, wonderingly, contentedly, delightedly, doggedly. ...

(c) To a Noun : Monthly, quarterly, yearly. ...

# Other adverbial suffixes are -ward, -wards, -ways, and -wise, ...
e.g. Homeward, backwards, sideways, likewise, otherwise. ...

# Some adverbs are formed by the prefix a- ( = in, on - Middle English),
e.g. Abroad, afoot, ashore. ...

# If an adjective or a noun ends in -y, preceded by a consonant, the y is changed into i and ly is added.
Bonnily, cosily / cozily, daily, hastily, wearily. …

# Adjectives ending in -le change the e into y.
 Ably, singly, doubly. …

# Some adverbs are formed from propositions.
Inwards, outwards, upwards, downwards. ...

Name the kinds of adverbs in the following sentences: —

1. had a very long walk yesterday.

2. On the mountain I was nearly hit by a swiftly rolling rock.

3. Before you go to Ceylon you should carefully read all you can about the place.

4. Twice I had the same most curious dream.

5. We were indeed fortunate in meeting you so often lately.

6. Slowly and sadly we laid him to rest.

7. Since you insist on it, I will certainly help you.

8. Where I live there is hardly any frost.

9. After the bell had rung twice we went aboard.

10. This box won’t go in anyhow.

Are you coming? Yes, I am.

You are certainly very clever.

Do not stand still in the corner.

I am not late.

Indeed you are.

... .... ...

Numeral Adverbs - These answer the question How often? or In what Order?

I have been in Russia once.

Secondly, I do not intend to go.

We have frequently taken walks together.

It is doubly hard for you.

... .... ...

Adverbs of Quantity or Degree - These answer the question How much or How far?

We are almost there.

He is hardly old enough to ride a bicycle.

I am very much obliged to you.

It is nearly half past nine.

These chairs are scarcely good enough.

... .... ...

Adverbs of Manner - These answer the question How?

How is it you speak French so well?

I was dreadfully tired.

He acted foolishly.

The children were playing merrily.

My cousin is seriously ill.

... .... ...

Adverbs of Place - These answer the question Where?

He lives up above.

Don’t run across, walk round.

If you walk backwards you may trip up.

Haven’t we met somewhere?

Is there anything inside?

... .... ...

Adverbs of Time - These answer the question When?

I will come afterwards.

You must write this again.

That was a long time ago.

Have you ever been to Ceylon?

We often (or rarely) meet.

The meeting takes place tomorrow.

We pay rent monthly.

... .... ...

Adverbs are words which modify or give particular meanings to other words, except nouns. These words (Adverbs) may modify or give particular meanings to:

1. Verbs, as:

It is continually raining.

I will come soon.

Perhaps I may do so.

2. Adjectives, as:

It is exceedingly kind of you.

This is quite enough, thanks!

It (/ She) is very hot.

3. Other Adverbs, as:

He talks too loudly.

1 know that only too well (= to my regret).

He works very carelessly.

1. When you bang the door like that you make me jump (startle me).

2. Dogs bark at the moon.

3. A bull’s bellow is nothing to a tiger’s roar.

4. What is that booming noise, thunder or cannon?

5. There was a buzz of conversation coming from the meeting-hall.

6. A hen clucks and cackles when she has laid an egg.

7. A cheering crowd followed him along the road.

8. Do you hear the clang of big hammers at the factory?

9. The cooing of pigeons is a very comforting sound.

10. What a bad cough you have!

11. I heard the crackling of paper in the next room.

12. How that door does creak!

13. Sometimes a chorus of frogs’ croaking in a ricefield can be heard a mile away.

14. I lay awake listening to the drip-drip of the rain.

15. I could hear the drone of an aeroplane (airplane) far out of sight.

16. The candle was burning low with a fizzling sound.

17. As he climbed the steep path he was panting.

18. Up in the woods the other day I heard some animal grunting.

19. The audience hissed and hooted when he got up to speak.

20. A cow was lowing for her calf.

21. What are you muttering about? Speak up.

22. Silk dresses make a rustling sound.

23. My pony whinnied with joy at seeing me.

24. Do stop that puppy from yelping.

... .... ...

Verbs Expressing Sounds - Sounds of Nature. 

Wind howls and whistles and roars.

Rain patters on the roof and drips from the eaves. Sometimes the rain comes rushing with a swish.

Fire crackles and the flames of a great fire roar.

Fire also fizzles out; so do damp fireworks.

Leaves rustle.

Streams babble or purl.

We speak of rippling waves.

Turkeys gobble.

Ravens croak.

Geese cackle.

Crows caw.

Ducks quack.

Owls hoot.

Cocks crow.

Parrots scream or squawk.

Hens cluck.

Sparrows chirp or twitter.

Doves coo.

Larks trill.

Eagles and Kites scream.

Thrushes warble.

We speak of a whirr of wings.

Bees and Flies buzz or hum or drone.

Horses neigh. When they neigh gently to express pleasure we say they whinny.

Cows low or moo.

Bulls bellow.

Sheep, goats and calves bleat.

Boars grunt.

Dogs bark. When anyone comes they do not like, they growl. Whey they are in pain, or complain, they whine. Sometimes at night they howl. Puppies yelp.

Cats mew. When we stroke them they purr. At night they caterwaul.

Elephants trumpet or squeal.

Lions and tigers roar.

Monkeys chatter. Some big monkeys utter a deep booming sound.

Camels grunt or squeal.

Hyaenas / Hyenas laugh.

Jackals howl.

Bears growl.

Snakes and some lizards hiss.

Frogs croak.

An animal snarls when it shows its teeth and makes a threatening noise.

Is it possible that he is married?

It is necessary to buy a ticket of admission.

It is right that he should be praised.

How fortunate it was that the doctor was at home!

It is a pity I did not know this earlier.

What a good thing it is that you knew just where to find the letter!

It would not be fair to leave him out of the team.

It is a nuisance (= very troublesome) to have to walk all the way.

… …. …

Some verbs are used in the third person singular with the neuter pronoun It as their subject.

Some of these expressions relate to weather, season or time.

How it rains!

When it lightens it generally thunders too.

It is hot, cold, damp etc.

It is time for tea.

The verbs Seem, Appear, Happen are used impersonally, and there are other expressions of a similar kind.

It seems as if he were not coming.

It appears that he was innocent after all.

It happens that we are rather distantly related.

It is likely that there will be a large audience.

There is a chance of our being in Agra soon.

Is it a fact that he is deaf?